Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-09-16
AT THE FAIR.
An Immense Attendance at the
Fair Grounds Yesterday.
ThesDffrerent Departments Thronged
With sighr-seers---Ra and Base
Bail-.-The Baby Contest Postponed
Until To-day.

ThesDiHefent departments IhrOuSeu
With Sighr-seers---R Races and Base |
BaiI---The BABY Contest Postponed
Until Today
Yesterday was great day at the Coe
fair, greater in fact in a numerical sense
than ever before experienced 1t was
estimated that fully 1900 people were in
attendance, and as vehicle after vehicle
rolled up to the gate, George Genung
simled a 'smole' of great proportions.
and the good Simonson chuckled as he
pictured an overlooking treasury. In
short, the management was In high glee
over the gate receipts. but 1t should ex-I
tend vote of thanks to''Old Prob" for his
every favorable weather. 1t was an ideal
autumn day, such one as the poets rave
about, and it was no wonder the people
turned out en- masse to commune with
nature in all its loneliness, # not to take
in the attractions at the fair. The only
disagreeable feature of the trip was the
dusty condition of the road, which made
it rather uncomfortable for those regard
full of their personal appearance, and
with desire to curtail their laun dry bill
The ARGUS scribe went up on the S:15
train on the st. Paul road, with crowd
of other h oliday bent individuals, and
through the kindness of the baggageman.
who seemed to share in the hilarity of
the occasion, was allowed to deposit
himself in one corner of his car The
occasion demanded the scribe to seek the
seclusion of some unfrequented spot, as
the coaches were filled to overlooking
with holders OF excursion rate tickets,
who always insist in having the best ac-
eommodation road affords to the exclu-
sion of its regular patrons. The Deere
comet band got aboard at Moline, and
filled the remaining available space in the
cars with wind
Arriving at Port Byron the street adj
lacent to the depot was found thronged
with hacks aud vehicles of transportation
of every description. Some OF the hacks
looked as though they would fall to
pieces before they reached the grounds,
and from the appearance of few of the
horses, it would naturally be inferred that
the hay and corn crop had been total
failure in those parts. The scribe select
ed red-wheeled chariot attached to a
week looking horse. 1t wasn't very
diguitied outfit, but had the merit of sub
stantiality, and it needed it. We had
just snugly ensconsced ourself in rear seal
with an individual of aldermanic pro.
portions. when $50 pound piece of femin
ity came along, and invited herself to
seat between us. The springs grosneC
out in mortal agony, and the scribe, il
the kindness of his heart, vacated hi
berth and hoped up with the driver ,whC
looked like q mild hammered man will
none of the symptoms of a Daven
port hackmaD. 1t was hard pull
ling up the hill. and severa
of the light weight passengers got out T.
tighten the load But the driver wa
confident that the horse was equal to tn
task, saying that he had often pulled
ton up the same hill. We got out to tn
fair grounds in time to catch the dust O
the returning vehicles There was
steady stream of people pouring into tn
grounds, which taxed the capacity of tn
aIen at the gate to receive the ticket!
The first object of interest we sighted Wa
the ARGUS headquarters, and we expecte
cordial and warm hearted reception
But we were doomed to disappointment
The place was cheerless and deserted
and looked rs though the occupant ha
Just arisen from profound slumber an
had neglected to put Ibis house"
order We found him later on. howeve
riding the hurdy gurdy and THROWN
rings for canes He did the first Ill
gracefully, and the last unsuccessfully,
The .displays in the different depar
ments were very much admired espec
ally 10 the horticulture and foricultu1
ball. There WIS much speculation as
who would get the premiums, but tht
interesting part of the programme vi
occur today. Nothing of particular il
terest transpired in the morning, the ra,
ing having been deferred until afternoon
At the noon hour the grounds resen
bled large picnic. The good hous'
wives had come laden with baskets {
wholesome food, and tempting spread
were laid under the trees.
Will Ashdown, marshal of the day al
nounced the racing at l o'clock. I'll
first on the programme was a runniu
race, open to ali; purse $40, 800, S12 {
and $3.50; best three in four. The IA
was won by K. T.
For the best carriage team in harne
there were two entries DR.. Merrymi
won first premium. A trotting race f
horses owned in Rock Island county W
next. Purse $50, $25, Sl5 and $40; be
three in five. Tell, Capt, G. and Eth
owned by Geo. LaRue. of Coe, were e
tered The race was won by Ethel
three straight heats. Stations, style a
speed; nnder 4 years. Prince Almol
owned by Mark Denneen, aud Prince !
owned by J. I. Browning, of MOlir
were entered The first premium W
won by Prince Almont.
A game of ball in the afternoon
tween the second nine of Yuma and I
Hllsdales, resulted in victory for
former nine.
The contest for the prettiest bal
eighteen months old or under was DO